Orlando, Fla., July 13, 2018 – In a unique method of providing innovation for the future, two UCF Business Incubation Program client companies have been awarded funding for aerospace technology research and development through a partnership program connecting Florida businesses with Israeli companies.

Geeks and Nerds and Semplastics, were part of two of four partnerships selected for this year’s funding out of 14 partnerships that applied.

“This provides us a fantastic opportunity to create a new material system for space and aerospace applications,” says Bill Easter, CEO, Semplastics. “We look forward to doing our part to further the commercial space industry in Central Florida.”

The Semplastics partnership is with Israeli-based Polymertal. The two companies applied to develop a new class of material with high commercial value. They intend to merge their technologies and create unique, hybrid components with superior strength and high-temperature operating capabilities simultaneously reducing weight by 70 percent.

The award is valued at $240,000.

Geeks and Nerds’ partnership was with Israeli-based Astronautics, which has a significant presence in the commercial aviation industry. The plan is for Geeks and Nerds to develop a FlightShield product, which will be integrated into the electronic flight bag aboard air and spacecraft to prevent cyber-attacks while also providing on-board anomaly detection.

The Geeks and Nerds award is valued at $288,579.

“The Space Florida grant provides Geeks and Nerds Corporation a tremendous opportunity to utilize and enhance our cybersecurity technologies and bring them to the commercial aviation market.” Said Jeff Frost, Vice President, Geeks and Nerds “The UCF incubator soft-landing program was an instrumental partner providing the collaborative support necessary to expand our Florida operations and realize this opportunity.”

In October 2013, Space Florida and Israel Innovation Fund created a $2 million recurring joint fund to support research, development and commercialization of aerospace and technology projects that benefit both Israel and Florida.

In a press release from Space Florida, Governor Rick Scott said: “Through the Florida-Israel Innovation Partnership, we have worked together to support businesses that are helping strengthen Florida and Israel as global leaders for innovation. I’d like to congratulate today’s recipients and I look forward to seeing the innovation that is produced thanks to this partnership. We will continue to work with our partners in Israel to support projects that create new opportunities for our families.”

About Geeks and Nerds: Geeks and Nerds (GaN) Corporation is an employee-owned small business appraised at CMMI Maturity Level 3. GaN, incorporated in 2004, has primed numerous multi-million-dollar contracts for customers such as Ballistic Missile Defense Evaluation Directorate (BMDED), White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), Operational Test Command (OTC), Redstone Test Center (RTC), Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC), Corps of Engineers (COE), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). GaN employs people across nine states and has been nationally recognized for outstanding leadership and business ethics since its inception. The company’s core capabilities of Cybersecurity, Test and Evaluation Support. For more information, visit geeksandnerds.com.

About the UCF Business Incubation Program: The University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program is a community resource that provides early-stage companies with the tools, training and infrastructure to become financially stable, high growth/impact enterprises. Since 1999, this award-winning program has helped more than 390 local startup companies reach their potential faster by providing vital business development resources.

With seven facilities throughout the region, the UCF Business Incubation Program is an economic development partnership between the University of Central Florida, the Corridor, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia counties, and the cities of Apopka, Kissimmee, Orlando and Winter Springs. For the 2014/15 and 2015/16 fiscal years, the activities of these participating firms have helped sustain more than 4,710 local jobs and have had a cumulative impact of more than $725 million on regional GDP and more than $1.3 billion on regional sales. During the same period, the program has returned $7.41 for every $1 invested in the program. For more information, visit incubator.ucf.edu

About Space Florida: Space Florida was created to strengthen Florida’s position as the global leader in aerospace research, investment, exploration and commerce. As Florida’s aerospace and spaceport development authority, we are committed to attracting and expanding the next generation of space industry businesses. With its highly trained workforce, proven infrastructure and unparalleled record of achievement, Florida is the ideal location for aerospace businesses to thrive – and Space Florida is the perfect partner to help them succeed. spaceflorida.gov.